Ronaldo facing ankle surgery

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is to undergo ankle surgery in Amsterdam on Monday, according to reports.

The Portugal international travelled to Holland on Sunday night for the procedure which is expected to keep him out of action for six weeks.

The press spokesman of the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam, Johan Kortenray, told French newspaper L'Equipe: "He arrived here Sunday evening to be examined. He'll be able to return home on Tuesday."

The operation was arranged after the view of a specialist backed up that of medical staff from both United and the Portuguese Football Association.

The operation is expected to be carried out by renowned surgeon Niek van Dijk, who has previously worked on Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben and Michael Ballack.

Portuguese newspapers speculate that two pieces of cartilage have come away from Ronaldo's right ankle.